Panthers Sign Six to AHL Contracts

Springfield, MA - The Florida Panthers and Springfield Thunderbirds have announced the signings of six players to AHL one-way contracts. The players who have agreed to terms are as follows:

F Francois Beauchemin

F Matt Buckles

F Ryan Horvat

F Anthony Greco

D Matt MacKenzie

G Evan Cowley

Beauchemin, 21, completed his final junior season in the QMJHL with Val d'Or and Charlottetown. The 6-foot-1 inch, 195-pounder scored a combined 35 goals and 97 points in the 2016-17 season.

Buckles, 22, completed his NCAA collegiate career at Cornell before joining the Thunderbirds for nine games at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season. The 6-foot-3 inch winger, a fourth round pick of Florida in 2013, scored three goals and added seven assists in nine games with the Thunderbirds.

Horvat, 24, is entering his fourth professional season at the AHL level. In 47 games with Springfield last season, Horvat scored five goals and added 12 assists while tallying 73 penalty minutes.

Greco, 23, completed his first full professional season with the Thunderbirds in 2016-17. He finished the year with 16 goals and 15 assists in 74 games.

MacKenzie, 25, is entering his seventh professional season. In 38 games with the Thunderbirds, he scored four goals and added eight assists in 38 games.

Cowley, 21, is a former fourth round selection by the Panthers in the 2013 NHL Draft. In four seasons at the University of Denver, Cowley won 23 games. He posted goals-against averages of 2.16 and 2.07 respectively in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. He captured a national championship with the Pioneers in 2016-17.

Are you interested in becoming a part of the next era of professional hockey in Springfield? Earn your wings with Springfield Thunderbirds 2017-18 Ticket Memberships, which start as low as $12 per game and feature the most exclusive benefits, including a commemorative jersey and brand new Collectors Mug. For more information, fans may call the Thunderbirds ticket office at (413) 739-GOAL (4625) or visit www.SpringfieldThunderbirds.com.